No VIP cells in Punjab jails, 710 mobiles confiscated

In a major crackdown against nexus of gangsters and criminals operating from jails, the Punjab government has so far confiscated 710 mobile phones from jails in a specially launched drive. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that abolishing VIP culture in jails the Punjab government, the government has decided to abandon VIP cells and use them as administrative blocks. He said that those lodged in jails have been punished by courts for violating law and they can’t enjoy facilities while sitting in jail. Bhagwant Mann said that these jails will now be truly become reform houses ((sudhar ghar) where these criminals will pay for their sin in right earnest. Divulging the details, the Chief Minister said that during this special drive launched from March 16 to May 10, as many as 710 mobiles have been recovered from jail inmates. He said that from 16-31 March, 166 mobiles were recovered whereas 354 mobiles were confiscated from April 1-30, adding that 190 mobiles have been recovered from May 1-10. Bhagwant Mann said that these mobiles were used by the gangsters/ smugglers to run their rackets from jail premises. The Chief Minister said that investigations are on to nab the persons on whose names these numbers were registered. He said that very soon strict action will be taken against them. Bhagwant Mann further said that responsibility of the officers and staff of jails who were involved in sneaking these mobiles in the jail will also be fixed.